About this project

The World's Smartest Doorbell: VEIU

$265,421

pledged of $30,000 goal

1,353

backers

What is a prototype?

A prototype is a preliminary model of something. Projects that offer physical products need to show backers documentation of a working prototype. This gallery features photos, videos, and other visual documentation that will give backers a sense of what’s been accomplished so far and what’s left to do. Though the development process can vary for each project, these are the stages we typically see:

Proof of Concept

Explorations that test ideas and functionality.

Functional Prototype

Demonstrates the functionality of the final product, but looks different.

Appearance Prototype

Looks like the final product, but is not functional.

Design Prototype

Appearance and function match the final product, but is made with different manufacturing methods.

Production Prototype

Appearance, function, and manufacturing methods match the final product.

Prototype Gallery

These photos and videos provide a detailed look at this project’s development.

We'll make VEIU better by improving its waterproofing and weatherproofing regardless of hitting our stretch goal or not. Here is some confirmation from our tech team:

1. MORE WATERPROOFING: We will apply a thin layer of Conformal Coating on the PCB board of the outdoor camera part to device more waterproofing. This should allow you to use VEIU doorbell under rainy weather.

2. MORE WEATHERPROOFING: We've improved the design and did an internal TEST. Our VEIU still works perfectly even below the temperature range of -30°C - 50°C (- 22°F - 122°F). Compared to Ring's operating temperature range of -20°C – 50°C (-5°F - 120°F), our device should be able to endure colder weather!

Thanks for your support!

Pia & VEIU team

Our name, Eques, originated from the Greek word Aegis: it means protection. Since 2016, when we established our home base in the heart of Silicon Valley, our mission has been to protect what is dearest to you.

Over the last year we have been developing and perfecting the VEIU Smart Doorbell. After many iterations and testing we are happy to say that the only thing standing in the way of you making your home smarter and safer is your support of this project.

The Eques App puts your front door at your fingertips no matter where you are. Since VEIU runs off your home's Wi-Fi, you have a secure connection from your smartphone to your VEIU anywhere with a network connection.

Many smart home products require expensive monthly subscriptions that can run you hundreds of dollars a year. With VEIU there are no monthly cloud storage fees, your only expense is the hardware. The Eques App is available as a free download from both Google Play and the Apple App Store

30 seconds of your time can make all the difference in bringing VEIU to life. Take a second and hit one of the links below to share this project with your friends. Who knows, they might be thanking you later...

Motion Sensor - VEIU automatically detects motion and can be set to take a snapshot, send an alert to your phone, or start recording video when motion is detected.

Child & Senior Friendly - The VEIU Doorbell is completely functional even without the smart phone app. The 5" LCD touch screen display is easy to set up, read, and displays the same video your app would. The display also allows you to save and share video clips.

Wi-Fi Connectivity - VEIU uses your home Wi-Fi connection to stream video to your device making the connection safe and secure. This also allows you to access multiple cameras at once.

Rechargeable Battery - The rechargeable battery saves you time and money by eliminating the hassle of replacing batteries every time they die.

Long Battery Life - A fully charged battery can last up to two months in standby mode giving you piece of mind that your VEIU will be ready when someone pays you an expected or unexpected visit.

Wide Angle Lens - The lens on the VEIU gives you a 180 degree view of your porch, making sure you wont miss any visitors.

No Subscriptions - Other smart home products require expensive monthly and yearly subscriptions. Not VEIU. Our app is completely free and available for both Apple and Android devices.

Better waterproofing and weatherproofing - still designing, fully possible upon reaching the stretch goal of $300,000.

Last but not least, we changed the name to VEIU, because it's simply a better name!

VEIU is compatible with any door (35-110mm thick) and installation is super simple. All it takes is a screw driver and five minutes of your time.

Each VEIU comes with a simple 12 step guide to help you install the smart doorbell quickly and without professional help.

We believe crowdfunding is the best way to bring new products to life. We also believe that Kickstarter isn't just for starting a business, but for companies to drive innovation.

Kickstarter gives us a platform to connect inventors (us) with passionate consumers (you). This allows us to foster a community around our product and build off feedback provided by people who truly care about our products.

The VEIU Doorbell can be used with or without WiFi connection. To maximize VEIU's benefits, use a wireless internet connection to enable its smart features, including the ability to send live video and audio straight to your smartphone. VEIU is compatible with wireless routers running on 2.4 GHz.

Does VEIU require direct power lines to function?

No. VEIU operates wirelessly using its built-in battery. The battery lasts an average of 2 months after each complete charge.

Do I need to have an existing peep hole for VEIU to work on my door?

No. If your door does not have a peephole, don’t worry at all. Feel free to request a free drill bit to safely drill a hole in your door. Drill bits will be available at the end of our campaign. We will be sure to send it along with your backed product.

How long does it take the for the battery to fully charge?

It takes about 4 to 5 hours for VEIU to fully charge. To preserve your battery’s life, we recommend recharging the device when the battery drops to 25%.

Do I need to remove the indoor panel to charge it?

The indoor panel can be easily removed from the door mount for charging. In addition, we also provide a 10 foot (3 meters) charging cable for those who may find it more convenient to plug your product into a nearby outlet. Alternatively, you may use a power bank to charge your device.

Will VEIU notify me when it is time to charge the system?

Yes. The VEIU app features a low-battery warning and a battery level indicator on the indoor touch screen that you can check anytime.

Are there any additional fees?

No. For standard services, VEIU devices operate without any monthly fees. The free cloud based storage will allow you to save up to 15 day’s worth of videos or images.

What if someone steals my VIEU Doorbell?

The VEIU Doorbell is equipped with proprietary security screws that keep the device securely mounted, which makes it difficult to take. However, if your VEIU does get stolen, the outdoor camera will not function without the indoor panel, so it’d be useless for the thief. If this happens, please contact us with a police report, and we’ll be happy to replace your device for free.

Where can I download the app?

Download our free VEIU App from App Store or Google Play Store -- both under our company name, EQUES. Please note that this App is also compatible with other Eques smart devices. When you install VEIU, make sure that you select the VEIU device option.

What happens if my Wi-Fi goes out?

If you lose wireless internet connection, VEIU will not be able to send audio and video data to your smart devices. However, your device can continue to operate with saved data in its local storage. The 2GB local storage is included in the product and can save up to 20,000 images.

Do I have to replace my existing doorbell?

Replacing your old doorbell is not required. VEIU PIR (Passive Infra-Red) Sensor operates without needing to press your traditional doorbell button. You can still check the live video and chat with your visitors through VEIU App on your smart devices.

My front door is glass. Will I be able to install VEIU?

We do not recommend that you mount it on glass. VIEU works with door thicknesses ranging from 35 mm to 110 mm.

Will there be other color options?

Yes, we offer 2 color options for the exterior doorbell, brass- or champagne- colored. The indoor panel comes in the champagne-color only. Please let us know your color option when you place the order.

SHIPPING: When will I receive my VEIU?

We’re aiming for July 2017.

SHIPPING: How will my product be shipped?Will there be tracking numbers?

DOMESTIC: US orders will ship from our Los Angeles center using ground service (USPS priority, FedEx, or UPS -- depending on destination and shipment size). Tracking information will be provided.

INTERNATIONAL: Non-US orders will ship from one of our 3 international warehouses located in London, Hong Kong, and Toronto. To save money for our backers, we will import all of our products to the aforementioned countries before shipping them to you. This means that your shipments… 1. Won't require taxes or fees in Canada, EU and HK (other countries may have applicable fees/taxes; please check with your customs office for specific details). 2. Will arrive more quickly rather than being held up in customs. 3. May have tracking, though not guaranteed (depending on the particular post service). For EU and Asian backers, Royal Mail International or Hong Kong Post will most likely be used. Note that we cannot alter the value of your rewards on customs declarations -- the value will be declared as the total value of the items contained in the shipment.

What is your return policy?

Unfortunately, we don’t offer refunds or returns on items received as Kickstarter rewards. The support from our Kickstarter backers enables us to run and grow our business, gather customer feedback, design new products, and improve existing ones. In our Kickstarter community, the items that you receive after making a pledge are referred to as "rewards" because they are not traditional purchases. Instead, they are gifts - in our case, camera products - that are sent to our supporters as a token of our appreciation. In the same way that public television funds their service through their supporters’ pledges and how supporters receive gifts, we have chosen to run and grow our business with a crowdfunded business model. We sincerely thank our backers for helping Eques move forward in this journey.

Risks and challenges

Our team has many years of experience in the smart home and technology industry. This, along with the testing that we have performed with the VEIU Doorbell minimizes your risk in backing this project. We have already started production of the doorbells and just need your support to get them out of our hands and into yours!